Rabat – In Morocco, one household out of four at least includes a person with special needs, that is 24.5% of families (2,264,672 people) which makes up a national rate of 6.8%.
According to the 2nd national survey on disability of 2014, the national disability rate for men is 6.7% and 6.8% for women, said the ministry of health in a statement on Wednesday, on the occasion of the National Disability day celebrated on March 30.
Around 33.7% of this category is aged 60, making this age group more vulnerable, the statement said, adding that the survey revealed that 34.1% of special needs people have a health insurance regime, of which 60.8% own the RAMED card, 15.4% belong to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) and 12.7% are affiliated to the Caisse Nationale des Organismes de Prévoyance Sociale (CNOPS).
In order to promote access to health care for this social segment, the ministry has elaborated a national action plan on health and disability for 2015-2021, it said.
The main goal of the said plan is to ensure access for persons with disabilities to promotional, preventive and community-based health care. The plan includes 20 measures and 73 actions as the building of 5 centers for rehabilitation and orthopedic equipment in Rabat, Nador, Guelmim, Casablanca and Tetouan, bringing the number of such centres to 15 nationwide.
